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Team Bios

Dorothea Heck, DMCP, CMP, CEM - Director, Co-Founder

In Brief: Prior to Co-Founding Destination A.C., Dorothea worked in Casino Marketing and held various roles within the Events and Conference Planning Industries. From coordinating both lavish and diverse special events for Trump Taj Majal, and The Sands Casinos - to creating her own Italian DMC when she lived in Rome, Dorothea brings an unparalleled level of knowledge and expertise to Destination A.C.

At Destination A.C., Dorothea oversees business and product development, and event / stage production. She has been reading The New York Times food section for 3 decades, attended culinary academy, and is always on the lookout for food, décor and event trends. She has been a speaker at Agenda NY, one of the premiere conferences for event planners, and is often invited to speak at other industry events. Because of Dorothea’s extensive and varied knowledge, she is frequently quoted in national meeting and event publications on industry issues.

Dorothea holds the Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) title, as well as the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. She received a B.F.A. from the NYU School of the Arts, where she studied Theatre Design and Tech, as well as Arts Administration.

Hometown: Galloway, NJ on the Absecon border, 10 minutes from Atlantic City.
Favorite Restaurants: Girasole, or Doc’s Oyster House for enjoying Cape May Salts (a restored local oyster.)
Favorite Activities: Hiking the Forsythe Wildlife and exploring Southern Jersey’s budding wineries.

 

Larry Huttinger, CMP, Director, Co-Founder

In Brief: Before Co-Founding D. Lawrence Planners, LLC, and Destination A.C., Larry was manager of convention services for Trump Casino Hotel and Tropicana Hotel and was on the opening team of both properties. Larry, started D. Lawrence Planners in 1987 and since has been responsible for its business development and managing its meetings and events. Larry was tapped to provide meeting support for publisher and event producers, Red 7 Media when they launched Event Marketer and again when they purchased The Folio Show. With over 25 years experience, he truly understands the evolution of the meeting planning process. Larry earned his CMP in 1991 and is a prominent speaker at industry conferences, sharing his knowledge and background with meeting and event professionals.

Larry earned a degree in Environmental Studies at Stockton State College, and supports eco-friendly event planning. He serves on Atlantic Cape Community College’s Hospitality Advisory Board and is a fixture in the Atlantic City hospitality industry.

Hometown: Galloway Township, NJ
Favorite Restaurants: Knife & Fork Inn
Favorite Activities: Biking the Boardwalks and serving as an Atlantic City Ambassador

 

Kristin Barse, National Sales and Account Manager

In Brief: As Account Manager for Destination A.C., Kristin develops, implements and executes major events from start to finish – acting as a liaison between clients, vendors and venues. Recent high profile events she developed include Dancing with the Experient Super Stars and Supervalu World Class Rockers Hosted Buyer program .

Prior to joining Destination A.C., Kristin Barse was part of the opening team at The Borgata, Hotel Casino and Spa. She also worked in Operations & Special Events at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and MGM Studios.

Kristin earned a Hospitality Sales and Meeting Management degree from Johnson and Wales University. Kristin is also a certified professional bridal consultant.

Hometown: Ocean City, NJ
Favorite Restaurants: Sushi & Martinis, at Tomato’s in Margate and The Continental Restaurant on The Pier, at Caesars. Kristin recommends trying Mahi-Mahi Tacos at The Continental – yum!
Favorite Activities: Day trips to Cape May, enjoying the Atlantic City sunshine in the company of good friends, and dancing all night at Borgata’s Gypsy Bar and Murmur Nightclub.

“You were a delight to work with, I would recommend your company wholeheartedly”

Faye Carter- Powell, Deputy Director, National Association of Elevator Contractors

Corporate Events
Convention Shuttles
Recreational Activities
Meeting Staff
Registration Staffing
Team Spirit Games
Casino Tournaments
Game Shows
Gift Baskets – Amenities
Beach Parties
Tour Directors
Trade Show Floor Staff

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